The Broken Key (02) - Hunter of the Horde by Brian S. Pratt

Author:Brian S. Pratt [Pratt, Brian S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-10-21T04:20:40+00:00

“What happened to them?” queried Riyan.

“The search continued,” he told them. “For weeks they hunted but came up with nothing. Finally the search was called off.” He repositioned himself in an attempt to alleviate the pain throbbing around the shaft of the arrow, but all he did was make his situation worse. Giving up, he lay there a moment to regain his composure before continuing.

“Some believe that the searchers who combed the woods scared off whomever or whatever had taken the people, for the disappearances stopped.” He glanced at each in turn and could see they were hanging on his every word. “From time to time stories have emerged about something in the woods. One hunter claimed that while hunting, he saw a demon walking these woods but no proof was ever found to substantiate his story.”

“What did it look like?” Riyan asked.

“He said it stood roughly the height of a man and walked on two feet,” he explained.

“The hunter only caught a brief glimpse of it, he thinks it may have had a tail. Anyway, when he saw the creature he turned and high tailed it back to town.”

“So,” began Chyfe, “does everyone think this Tower is the demon’s home?” He gave a short chuckle as he waited for Tad’s response.

“That’s the prevalent belief,” he admitted. “The area where the hunter claimed to have seen the demon was not too far away. Also, others have said they heard cries in the night that could only be called bestial and hellish when near this area of the woods.” He paused a moment before adding, “Just keep in mind. Something took those people, maybe this demon the hunter spoke of, or something else.” Just then the morning sun crested the eastern horizon and shone upon the upper reaches of the Tower. The sunlight drew Riyan’s eye and held it for a moment then he gave the Tower a closer look. “This is old,” he said. The stone that it was made of held many small cracks, though the stone still looked to have retained its strength.

“There are no vines on the Tower,” observed Chad.

Riyan looked around and saw what he meant. The outer walls of the courtyard all had vines growing along them, but the Tower was completely clean of them. “That’s odd,” he said.

“It’s almost as if there’s something about the Tower the vines don’t like,” Chyfe said.

“Wonder what’s inside?” mused Riyan. Turning his attention to the closed door, he wondered what might be found within.

“A demon perhaps?” suggested Bart with a grin.

“Or an evil spirit that doesn’t like to be disturbed,” suggested Kevik.

“What about a magic user?” Chad asked Kevik.

Shaking his head, Kevik replied, “I wouldn’t think so. First of all, there’s no indication anyone lives here. Secondly, even the most powerful magic user needs to use the jakes.” Glancing around the courtyard he asked, “Do you see or smell any?”

“No,” said Chad after scanning the courtyard. “Maybe he used a spell to get rid of it?” Kevik actually chuckled at that.

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